§ MR. REDDY (King's County, Birr)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that certain landlords in King's County, notably Colonel Williams, owner of an estate at Clonmacnoise, have issued writs against tenants for practically irrecoverable arrears of rent, with a view to compel the said tenants to purchase 172 their holdings; whether Colonel Williams in particular has demanded an average of twenty-four years purchase, he having offered to sell the same holdings a few years ago at an average of eighteen years purchase; and whether he will take any steps in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) The Land Commission have no information as to the alleged proceedings to recover rent on the estate referred to, and no steps have been taken to initiate purchase proceedings in the case.